Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 48700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
I sink down into the chair in front of the security console, my stomach in knots as a wave of guilt washes over me. He defended me without even knowing me. I'm lying to him, and he literally just fired a girl for calling me names and making me uncomfortable in his bar.
Who the hell is the real Memphis?
And why is this one so freaking hard to resist?
Chapter Three
Memphis
"Venom." I stick my head out the front door and crook my finger, beckoning him over. Shelby is nowhere in sight. Thank fucking God.
She's been testing my patience since she started her, but she crossed a fucking line tonight saying that shit to Kylie. I saw the look on my girl's face. Whether she wants to admit it or not, what Shelby said hurt. I'll be damned if she has an opportunity to say it again.
Kylie isn't fat, and she isn't trash. No one leaves that look on her face, not in my bar.
I don't care if Shelby is jealous of the fact that I can't keep my eyes off Kylie. I've never given Shelby a single goddamn iota of reason to think I'm interested in her or that she has a chance. She was an employee, and nothing more.
Now, she's not even that.
Venom's usual surly expression is grim as he strolls toward him. "'Sup, Memphis?"
"She doesn't step foot in this fucking bar again," I say, my voice pitched low so it doesn't carry to the throng milling around the doors. "I don't want her on the property, period."
Venom purses his lips, his silence speaking volumes. He has a soft spot for the girl. I don't fucking care, though. She isn't welcome here.
"I mean it," I growl. "If I catch her on this property, I'll have her ass thrown in jail. And anyone who lets her on the property will be out of a job."
"Goddamn, Memphis." Venom says with a sharp shake of his head. "Slow your roll. No one said anything about letting her on the property."
"Just making sure we're clear on the new rules," I mutter, holding his gaze for a long moment before I duck back inside the bar.
Venom is a complicated motherfucker. He and rules don't always get along. And as the motherfucker who lays them down around here, he and I have butted heads about them a time or two.
Quite frankly, he's a surly bastard. But he's always been loyal, and he knows how to handle business. When shit pops off around here, he's exactly the surly bastard I need knocking heads and tossing people out on their asses. Money and fame don't faze him. Screaming fangirls don't. Beef with bikers and bar brawls don't, either. Nothing does.
"It's about fuckin' time you did something with that girl," Jessup says, tossing me a shirt when I stop in front of the bar. "She's been nothing but trouble since she started here."
I snatch the shirt out of midair. "Yeah, well, she won't be a problem anymore," I growl, yanking the shirt on over my head. "Do me a favor and make sure all her shit gets sent to her. I want everything of hers out of my bar before it closes."
Jessup jerks his chin in a nod. "I'll make sure it's taken care of."
"Thanks, brother." I cast a cursory glance over the bar to ensure there aren't any other problems that require my attention and then stride back to my office, my boots thumping against the wooden floor.
I find Kylie sitting in front of the security monitors, her head down. A surge of protectiveness courses through me at the sight of her, my heart thumping unevenly. I half expected to find that she'd disappeared on me.
Who the hell is she? And why the fuck does my heart feel like it's going to beat out my chest every time I look at her?
It's been a long damn time since I've cared about anyone but my damn self. The fact that I care about her scares the hell out of me, but I do, and I don't know why. She seems familiar, and it's not just those fuckin' eyes. It's her. But I've wracked my brain trying to place her, and I have no memory of this mouthy, gorgeous little bookworm. She came out of nowhere.
"Hey," I say eventually, leaning against the doorframe with my arms crossed.
She jerks upright, spinning the chair around to face me. Her emerald eyes meet mine and then flicker down to my chest. It might be my imagination, but I think I see a hint of disappointment in them. Was she expecting to find me shirtless?
Interesting.
"Shelby won't be a problem anymore."
"I'm so sorry, Memphis," she says, wringing her hands together as guilt flows through her expression. "I didn't mean for you to fire her."
"Hey, none of that." I stride across the office toward her, not stopping until I'm standing right in front of her. Unable to resist, I hook my finger under her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. She leans into me slightly, those gorgeous eyes eating me alive.